Ron Blomberg
MLB debut September 10, 1969 for the New York Yankees Last MLB appearance October 12, 1978 for the Chicago White Sox Career statistics Batting average .293 Home runs 52 Runs batted in 224 Teams New York Yankees (1969, 1971–1976) Chicago White Sox (1978) Career highlights and awards First designated hitter in Major League Baseball history Ronald Mark Blomberg (born August 23, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia), nicknamed Boomer, is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter, first baseman, and right fielder. He played for the New York Yankees (1969, 1971–76) and Chicago White Sox (1978), and he was the manager of the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox in the Israel Baseball League (2007). He was the first designated hitter in Major League Baseball history. He batted left-handed, and threw right-handed. In his 8-season career, Blomberg compiled a .293 batting average (391-for-1,333) with 52 home runs, 224 RBIs, 184 runs, 67 doubles, and 8 triples in 461 games. He added a .360 on-base percentage and a .473 slugging average. For his career, he hit .304 against right-handers, and .304 with 2 out and runners in scoring position, as well as .325 when the score was tied.